PARIS TRAVEL
(including day tour of Versailles Palace, Loir Valley Chateaux, Disneyland)
GENERAL INFORMATION-Paris is the capital and most populous city of France. It is the most romantic and beautiful city of the world. It is also called the “City of Lights” and “Capitol of Fashion”. It is situated on the River Seine. Today it is one of the world's leading tourist, business and cultural centres and also centre for politics, education, entertainment, media, science, fashion and the arts. It has very high concentration of national and international political, cultural and scientific institutions and is one of the world's leading tourist destinations in the world with 45 million tourists annually. It is home to the world's finest and most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, such as Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, etc. Paris is a global hub of fashion and has been referred to as the "international capital of style". Paris is the hub of the national road network, and is surrounded by three orbital roads: the Périphérique, the A86 motorway, and the Francilienne motorway in the outer suburbs.
HISTORY- Paris was founded in about 250 BC by a Celtic tribe called the Parisii, who established a fishing village
near the river Seine. Paris' lands were prosperous and occupied a strategic position for controlling river shipping and commerce. The area came under Romans during Caesar era, in 52 BC. It was, however, not the capital of its province. Roman rule in northern Gaul effectively collapsed in the 5th century. Clovis I son of Childeric I (Childeric the Frank) made the city his capital in 508AD and for the first time Paris became capital. Paris was attacked in 845AD and 885AD by Vikings they sailed down the Seine. During the attack of 885 AD. Odo led the defence of the city in opposition to the ten-month Viking siege and became co-ruler of the Empire with Charles the Simple. His grandnephew Hugh Capet was elected King of France in 987. He made Paris his capital and founded the Capetian dynasty. The Île de la Cité, on which the Cathedral of Notre Dame building began in 1163, was the centre of government and religious life. During the rule of Philip II Augustus, who took the throne in 1180, major building works were carried out in Paris. He built the wall of Philippe Auguste (city wall of Paris) and began the construction of the Palais du Louvre. Philippe Auguste’s grandson Louis IX (1214-1270) established the city as a major centre of pilgrimage in the 13th century with the construction of the Sainte-Chapelle on the Île de la Cité, and the completion of the cathedral of Notre Dame and the Basilica of St Denis. In 1643: At age 5, Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, becomes king of France. His reign introduces a period of major prosperity. The King builds Versailles in 1623, displacing the centre of power from the Palais Royal in central Paris to the countryside. In 1774: Louis XVI ascends to the throne. He is married to Marie Antoinette, the adolescent daughter of powerful Austrian empress Maria Theresa. On July 14, 1789: The beginning of the French Revolution. In 1792: Fall of the monarchy and declaration of the first French republic. In 1793, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are guillotined.1793-1799: The Revolutionary "reign of terror" leads to thousands of executions and general chaos, and Paris is the centre of it. Religion is banned and a new calendar is established. In 1799 revolutionary general named Napoleon Bonaparte stabilizes the unruly government. He becomes Emperor in 1804. His emperorship puts a hiatus on France's struggle toward a Republic- this is well-symbolized by Napoleon's moving into the former royal seat of power at Versailles. The Emperor's taste for power and conquest lead to the colonization of North Africa. He is defeated at Waterloo in 1815.During Napoleon III Paris was developed by Baron Haussmann. Haussmann was hired by Napoleon III on 22 June 1852 to "modernize" Paris. Wide boulevards and a sewer system replace most of the narrow, cramped medieval and Renaissance-era streets of the city. Parks and monuments were created, the Louvre was completed, the Opera house was built and an extensive system of sewers was constructed. The city was at that time organized into its present-day 20 arrondissements. Building codes were enforced to keep the neo-classical look and to maintain a low building height. In 1870, following a disastrous war with the Prussians, the third Republic is declared, marking the beginning of democratic institutions in France. The Belle Epoque opens, another artistically and culturally fertile time in Paris history.During 1920's and 1930's, Paris is one of the world's most important hotbeds of experimentation in art and literature. Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso and the "Lost Generation" of English-speaking writers like Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, James Baldwin, Gertrude Stein, and Ezra Pound make Paris their home. In 1940, Nazi Germany invades Paris and marches on the Champs-Elysées. A four-year occupation begins. General Charles de Gaulle flees to London and leads a resistance movement from abroad, sending messages to resistant over British radio. In 1942, The collaborationist Paris government helps organize the massive deportation of French Jews to Nazi concentration camps, first assembling them at the Velodrome d'Hiver near the Eiffel Tower. In 1944, Paris is liberated by Allied forces. The city narrowly escapes destruction by the Nazis when an officer refuses to obey Hitler's orders.
GEOGRAPHY-Paris is located on the banks of river Seine. There are two inhabited islands, the Île Saint-Louis and the larger Île de la Cité, which are the oldest part of the city. The river’s mouth is on the English Channel (La Manche) is about 233 miles from Paris. Paris has several prominent hills, of which the highest is Montmartre at 130 m. The distance are - London-450kms, Calasis-287kms, Brussels-775kms, Marseilles-775kms,
CLIMATE-
MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
M Av 7 8 12 15 19 23 25 25 21 16 10 8
L Av 2 3 5 7 10 10 15 15 12 9 5 4
AREA- 2844km2 (Urban)
POPULATION- 104, 13,386 (Urban)
CO-ORDINATES- 48°51′24″N 2°21′03″E
TIME ZONE- UTC+1
AIRPORT- Charles de Gaulle Internaternational Airport-(CDG). The major hub airport to the north-east of the city and 25 kms from Paris. There are three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 (which is huge and subdivided into 2A through 2G), and Terminal 3. The newest exception is terminal 2G which is a separate building and is only reachable via navette/bus in 10-15 min (bus leaves every 20 min). The free CDGVAL shuttle train connects the terminals together.The departure lounges have showers .For getting to or from Paris, the RER commuter train, line B, has stations in T3 (from where you can take the free CDGVAL shuttle train to T1) and T2. Trains to Paris leave every 7-8 minutes and stop at Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Port-Royal, Denfert-Rochereau and Cité Universitaire. Adult tickets cost €9.50. The train takes around 35 minutes to Gare du Nord and 45 minutes to Denfert-Rochereau, making this the fastest way to get to the city. Air France buses offer two stops in Paris (Porte Maillot, Montparnasse) from CDG with a 50-min ride. To reach a specific address into the city, this shared shuttle service costs €19 per person.
PARIS SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS-
001-THE EIFFEL TOWER (LA TOUR EIFFEL) - The Eiffel Tower was built for the World Exhibition in 1889 as an entrance arch, which was held in celebration of the French Revolution of 1789.Effel Tower height was 984 feet at the time of completion and was inaugurated on March 31, 1889 and it was the tallest building of the world and has surpassed the Washington Monument and remained the tallest till the construction of Chrysler Building in 1930. The construction was only meant to last for the duration of the Exposition, but it still stands today. Tower, in fact, has become the symbol of the City of Light. Gustav Eiffel was the designer who also designs the Statue of Liberty’s iron frame work. There are about 12,000 prefabricated pieces and assembled, it took two years of construction. It is also the most visited paid monument of the world as in 2011 and 71, 000, 00 people visited the tower. The tower has three levels and the third level platform is at 915ft .Tickets can be purchased to ascend, by stairs or lift (elevator), to the first and second levels. The walk from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the walk from the first to the second level. The tower has two restaurants: Le 58 tour Eiffel, on the first floor 311 ft and the Le Jules Verne, on the second floor. In 1957 a radio antenna was added to the top which increased the height up to 1063 feet. "The Eiffel Tower lights up every evening from sunset to 1am and upto 2am(in Summer) during the three months. 20,000 lights will flash on and off during the first 5 minutes of each hour after nightfall.
002- ARC DE TRIOMPE- The arch was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories, but he was ousted before the arch was completed. In fact, it wasn't completed until 1836 during the reign of Louis-Philippe. The Arc de Triomphe is engraved with names of generals who commanded French troops during Napoleon's regime. The arch honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars. The monument is 50mx45m and 22m deep. It was the biggest triumphal arch up to 1982. The triumphal arch is adorned with many reliefs, most of them commemorating the emperor's battles. Among them are the battle of Aboukir, Napoleon's victory over the Turkish and the Battle of Austerliz, where Napoleon defeated the Austrians. Below the arch is the Grave of the Unknown Soldiers, honouring the many who died during the first World War. The arch is located at the western end of the Champs-Elysées, in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle rotary, a large circular square from which no less than 12 streets emanate. The streets are named after French military leaders. The top of the arch features a viewing platform, with 234 steps and it is without any elevators, from where you have great views of La Defense, the Champs-Elysées and the Sacré-Coeur.
Because of heavy traffic on the roundabout of which the Arc is the centre, there is an underpass to reach the arch located at the Champs Élysées and the Avenue de la Grande Armée. There is a lift which will take to the museum of the Arc.
Because of heavy traffic on the roundabout of which the Arc is the centre, there is an underpass to reach the arch located at the Champs Élysées and the Avenue de la Grande Armée. There is a lift which will take to the museum of the Arc.
003-CONCORD SQUARE (PALACE DE LA CONCORDE) - It is the largest square of Paris, is an octagonal square occupying 20 acres space. It was built in 1772. At each corner of the octagonal square is a statue representing a French city they are- Bordeaux, Brest, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Rouen and Strasbourg. Here 1119 people were beheaded after the French Revolution; amongst them is King Louis XVI, Marie-Antionette. It is situated between the Tuileries and the Champs-Elysées. At the north side there are two identical stone buildings with a road in between them is-Rue Royale. The eastern building is for the French Naval Ministry and the western building is a luxury hotel-Hotel de Crillon.
i-OBELISK- An obelisk was installed in 1836 which was a gift by the Viceroy of Egypt to Louis Philippe on the victory of Egypt in 1829. It is a 3200 year old obelisk from Karnark the temple of Ramses II at Thebes of pink granite weights about 230 tons and 75 feet tall. Obelisk is covered with hieroglyphs picturing the reign of pharaohs Ramses II & Ramses III.
ii-FOUNTAIN- There are two fountains(north & south) named ”Fountain des Mers” and “Elevation of the Maritime”. The two fountains were on the theme of rivers and seas, because of their proximity to the Ministry of Navy and to the Seine. The two fountains and the obelisk axis are aligned at 900 angle with the Champs-Elysées.
i-OBELISK- An obelisk was installed in 1836 which was a gift by the Viceroy of Egypt to Louis Philippe on the victory of Egypt in 1829. It is a 3200 year old obelisk from Karnark the temple of Ramses II at Thebes of pink granite weights about 230 tons and 75 feet tall. Obelisk is covered with hieroglyphs picturing the reign of pharaohs Ramses II & Ramses III.
ii-FOUNTAIN- There are two fountains(north & south) named ”Fountain des Mers” and “Elevation of the Maritime”. The two fountains were on the theme of rivers and seas, because of their proximity to the Ministry of Navy and to the Seine. The two fountains and the obelisk axis are aligned at 900 angle with the Champs-Elysées.
004-CHAMPS ELYSEES- The Avenue des Champs-Elysées is the most famous avenue in the world lined with Chestnut trees. The Champs-Elysées is used for all the major celebrations. This is where Parisians celebrate New Year's Eve and where the military parades are held on the 14th of July. This street is two kilometres long and stretches from the Place the la Concorde to the Place Charles de Gaulle, the site of the Arc de Triomphe. At the western end it is bordered by cinemas, theatres, cafés and luxury shops. On the eastern end and near the Place de la Concorde, the street is bordered by the Jardins des Champs-Elysées, beautifully arranged gardens with fountains and some grand buildings including the Grand Palais and Petit Palais and the Elysée. (Elysée means- where dead heroes come to relax). The Avenue is best for up-scale shopping here are Adidas, Benetton, the Disney Store, Nike, Zara, H&M, Cartier, Bel Air Fashion, Toyota, Gap, and Sephora , Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Lancel, Guerlain, Lacoste. The world famous Lido Show is also situated on the avenue.
005-LOUVERE PALACE-The Louevre Palace is a royal palace of former kings of France. Located between Tuileries Gardens and Saint German I Auxerrois Church and between River Seine and Rue de Rivoli. It was constructed by King Philip II Augustus in 12th century (1190AD) as a fortress on the banks of river Seine. It had defensive basting on the four corners with moat around the fortress. It was required to protect the capital from the Anglo-Norman threat and to increase the defences of the city. The Louvre was renovated frequently through the Middle Ages. Under Louis IX in the mid-13th century, the Louvre became the home of the royal treasury. The fortress was enlarged and beautified in the 14th century by CharlesV. During the reign of Henry IV (1589-1610) more than a quarter of a mile long and one hundred feet wide wing (Grand Gallery) was added, this huge addition was along the bank of the Seine and linked Palais des Tuileries and the Luvere. During Louis XIV in 1659, a new gallery which was parallel to the Petite Gallery was constructed. Napoleon I and Napoleon III added in Louvere. Present Louvere Palace is a rectangular building consists of two squares Cour Caree and Cour Napoleon with two wings. King Louis XIV moved to a new palace Versailles in 1682 with the government but it remained a seat of Government till 1789 and in 1793 Louvere Museum was opened for the exhibition. Total area of the palace complex is 40 hectares.
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006-LOUVRE MUSEUM-The Louvre Museum is one of the largest and most important museums in the world, it is also the most visited museums in the world. It is housed in Louvre Palace. In August of 1793 Louvre Museum was opened for the public exhibition. The museum has a collection of over 1 million works of art, of which about 35,000 objects are on display, spread out over three wings of the palace. Some of the most famous works of art in the museum are the Venus of Milo, the Nike of Samothrake, the Dying Slave by Michelangelo and world famous painting of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. The main entry to the museum is through the Louvre Pyramid or via the Carrousel du Louvre, there are three large wings in which public can go they are: Sully, Richelieu and Denon.
i-THE SULLY WING-It is the oldest part of the Louvre.
a- On the ground floor is the statue of Aphrodite, better known as the 'Venus of Milo', one of the highlights of the Louvre's Greek collection.
b- On the first floor display works from the enormous collection of antiquities. In rooms with Egyptian antiquities and artefacts and sculptures from Ancient Egypt.
c- On the second floor holds collection of French paintings, drawings and prints.
ii- RICHELIEU WING- In this wing there are display of Paintings from the Middle Ages up to the 19th century from Europe.
a-The ground and lower ground floor are home to the Louvre's extensive collection of sculptures. The ground floor also houses a collection of antiquities from the Near East. The main attraction here is the Code of Hammurabi, a large basalt stele from the 18th century BC, inscribed with the Babylonian law code.
b-The first floor houses a collection of decorative arts, with objects such as clocks, furniture, china and tapestries. The most decorated Napoleon III Apartments are also in this wing.
c- On the second floor, exhibits the works from master painters of Holland, Flanders, Netherland and Germany and France such as Rubens and Rembrandt. Some of the most notable works are the Lacemaker from Jan Vermeer and the Virgin of Chancellor Rolin, a 15th century work by the Flemish painter Jan van Eyck. Turkish Bath is also worth seeing in French Gallery.
III-DENON WING- The Denon Wing is the most crowded of the three wings of the Louvre Museum.
a-The ground floor houses the collection of Roman and Etruscan antiquities as well as a collection of sculptures from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Antonio Canova's marble statue of Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss and Michelangelo's Dying Slave. On the ground floor are eight rooms with artefacts from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. On the lower ground floor are Medieval sculptures from Europe are displayed.
b- The first floor is the most crowded of the three wings of the Museum due to world famous painting of Mona Lisa, a portrait by Leonardo da Vinci on the first floor. There are other master pieces, including the Wedding Feast at Cana from Veronese and the Consecration of Emperor Napoleon I by Jacques Louis David. Another star attraction of the museum is the Winged Victory of Samothrace, a Greek marble statue displayed at the atrium connecting the Denon wing with the Sully wing.
c- On the second floor there is no exhibit.
LOUVERE PYRAMID- It is the museum's main entrance. The pyramid was built in 1989. The glass and metal frame pyramid allows the sunlight to enter the underground floor. The Pyramid has given the museum a spacious central entrance without disturbing the historic view of the buildings. The pyramid is located in the main courtyard of Louvere-Cour Napoleon. The dimension of the pyramid are 115ft high &115ft at base. There are other three smaller pyramids. Visitors entering through the pyramid descend into the spacious lobby then re-ascend into the main Louvre buildings. The Inverted Pyramid is a skylight in the Carrousel du Louvre shopping mall in front of the Louvre Museum situated in the lobby at the underground.
i-THE SULLY WING-It is the oldest part of the Louvre.
a- On the ground floor is the statue of Aphrodite, better known as the 'Venus of Milo', one of the highlights of the Louvre's Greek collection.
b- On the first floor display works from the enormous collection of antiquities. In rooms with Egyptian antiquities and artefacts and sculptures from Ancient Egypt.
c- On the second floor holds collection of French paintings, drawings and prints.
ii- RICHELIEU WING- In this wing there are display of Paintings from the Middle Ages up to the 19th century from Europe.
a-The ground and lower ground floor are home to the Louvre's extensive collection of sculptures. The ground floor also houses a collection of antiquities from the Near East. The main attraction here is the Code of Hammurabi, a large basalt stele from the 18th century BC, inscribed with the Babylonian law code.
b-The first floor houses a collection of decorative arts, with objects such as clocks, furniture, china and tapestries. The most decorated Napoleon III Apartments are also in this wing.
c- On the second floor, exhibits the works from master painters of Holland, Flanders, Netherland and Germany and France such as Rubens and Rembrandt. Some of the most notable works are the Lacemaker from Jan Vermeer and the Virgin of Chancellor Rolin, a 15th century work by the Flemish painter Jan van Eyck. Turkish Bath is also worth seeing in French Gallery.
III-DENON WING- The Denon Wing is the most crowded of the three wings of the Louvre Museum.
a-The ground floor houses the collection of Roman and Etruscan antiquities as well as a collection of sculptures from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Antonio Canova's marble statue of Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss and Michelangelo's Dying Slave. On the ground floor are eight rooms with artefacts from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. On the lower ground floor are Medieval sculptures from Europe are displayed.
b- The first floor is the most crowded of the three wings of the Museum due to world famous painting of Mona Lisa, a portrait by Leonardo da Vinci on the first floor. There are other master pieces, including the Wedding Feast at Cana from Veronese and the Consecration of Emperor Napoleon I by Jacques Louis David. Another star attraction of the museum is the Winged Victory of Samothrace, a Greek marble statue displayed at the atrium connecting the Denon wing with the Sully wing.
c- On the second floor there is no exhibit.
LOUVERE PYRAMID- It is the museum's main entrance. The pyramid was built in 1989. The glass and metal frame pyramid allows the sunlight to enter the underground floor. The Pyramid has given the museum a spacious central entrance without disturbing the historic view of the buildings. The pyramid is located in the main courtyard of Louvere-Cour Napoleon. The dimension of the pyramid are 115ft high &115ft at base. There are other three smaller pyramids. Visitors entering through the pyramid descend into the spacious lobby then re-ascend into the main Louvre buildings. The Inverted Pyramid is a skylight in the Carrousel du Louvre shopping mall in front of the Louvre Museum situated in the lobby at the underground.
007-ARC DU CARROUSEL-The Arc du Carrousel was built from 1806 to 1808 at a site between the Louvre and the Palais de Tuileries. The arch has three archways, central 6.5m high. The structure is 19m high x 23m wide. On top of the arch were four gilded bronze horses taken by Napoleon from St. Mark's Square in Venice. The statues were returned to Venice after Napoleon's downfall at Waterloo. In 1828 a bronze replica of the quadriga was installed as a replacement. It is flanked by statues symbolizing Victory and Peace.
008- NOTRE DAM-It is a very old place of worship located in a small island between the river Seine-IIe la Cite. The Celts had their sacred ground here, the Romans built a temple to worship Jupiter. A Christian basilica was built in the 6th century. Bishop Maurice de Sully started the construction in 1163 and completed in 1345.It is a large cathedral 420ft long x 225ft wide and with two towers 226ft and the spire is 295ft high. The master piece is the rose window which is 40ft in diameter. This was among the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress to support the wall from outside. It has 387 steps to go to the top to have the view of Paris.
009-SACRE-COEUR (BASILICA OF SACRED HEART)-The Sacré-Coeur Basilica is located on top of the Montmartre hill which is the highest point of Pars. It is a Roman Catholic Church. When the Sacré-Coeur was built on top of the hill, Montmartre was a small village in 1873, inhabited by farming community. Church was completed in 1914.It is 115ft long X 280ft wide and 270ft high. The complex includes a garden for meditation, with a fountain. The top of the dome is open to tourists and affords a spectacular panoramic view of the city of Paris. The Sacré-Coeur Basilica has retained its white colour in the polluted air and this is due to the Travertine Stone, which was quarried from the Château-Landon, France and used in the construction of the basilica. During rains, the stones react to the water and secrete calcite, which acts like a bleacher.
010-PANTHEON-It was started in 1757 as a church building .King Louis XV when suffered from illness in 1744, he vowed to build a church. Building was completed during French Revolution in 1790, and it was transformed into a temple and is a burial place of the great men. It is 110m long x 85m wide and 83m height building. Its column are similar to Pantheon in Rome.
011-LA MADELEINE-This is a church building dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. In 1842 building was consecrated as a church. The building has 52 Cornithian columns around the church of 66 feet high. The front columns are topped with a sculpture frieze. It is close to the Palasis Garnier Concord Square.
012-SAINTE CHAPPLE- La Sainte-Chapelle was built during the second half of 13th Century by Louis IX, to house the relics of the Passion of Christ. Adorned with a unique collection of fifteen glass panels and a large rose window forming a veritable wall of light, Sainte-Chapelle is a gem of French gothic architecture. In 1239, after two years of negotiations, Louis IX bought Christ’s crown of thorns from Beaudoin II,from the Emperor of Constantinople for a considerable sum. In 1241 he acquired some more relics from Byzantium and decided to build a monument worthy of such treasure, within the Palais de la Cité itself.
013-PALAIS GARNIER/OPERA de PARIS - It is a 2000 capacity opera house built in 1875.It is a very expensive building of the era made during Second Empire initiated by Emperor Napoleon III. It has a huge stage with the capacity of 450 artists. The architect was the Charles Garnier (1825–1898) and the Baron Haussmann to supervise the construction. The style of the Opera is Beaux-Art, in which there is an axial symmetry in plan and exterior with ornamentation. A central chandelier which weighs more than six tons.
014-LES INVALIDES- The building was completed in 1678 and the used as a hospital and retirement home for war veterans also for the wounded homeless soldiers. It is a 200m wide building complex with 15 court yards on the banks of river Seine. There is the tomb of Nopolean Bonapart (1769-1821). Nowadays apart from the hospital for soldiers there are three museums in the building (Army museum, "Plans-Reliefs" museum and Liberation Order museum) and two churches (the Dôme church and Saint-Louis-des-Invalides church).
015-DOME DES INVALIDS-Proposed by Louis XIV in 1670 as a home for "invalids" - disabled and impoverished war veterans. It is this gold-domed church, completed in 1708.The complex of buildings known as Les Invalides located in Paris's 7th arrondissement and consists of museums and monuments related to the military history of France. The most recognizable and well-known part of Les Invalides is the Dôme des Invalides, a gold-domed building now used as a burial site for a number of the country's war heroes. The dome is 107 meters high, making it one of the tallest monuments in Paris, and was centrally placed in the complex in order to dominate the court of honour - one of 15 courtyards complex. Napoleon's Tomb in the dome. Napoleon last wish was to be buried at the banks of the Seine River, who died on the island of St. Helena near South Africa and was buried here. His body exhumed and returned to Paris in 1840. Upon completion in 1861, the remains of Napoleon's body were then placed in 6 coffins inside a tomb, which was fashioned from red Finnish porphyry with a green granite base, and placed inside the crypt. A dozen large figures are arranged around the tomb represent Napoleon's victories. An accompanying statue of the French leader himself, dressed in coronation robes, stands nearby and measures more than 8 feet high, in stark contrast to the emperor's diminutive size. Also buried at Invalides are several members of Napoleon's family as well as a number of prominent French military leaders and war heroes.
016-MUSEE DU ORSAY- The Musée d'Orsay is a museum housed in a grand railway station built in 1900.It is located on the left banks of river Seine and opposite Louvere. The Old railway station The Gare d’Orsay was converted and inaugurated on the 14th of July 1900 for the Paris World Exposition and was considered a masterpiece of industrial architecture. The station due course of time became short for longer trains and was abandoned. The building has a 140 m long x75m wide x 32 m high hall. Restoration started in 1979 and finally on the 29th of November 1986, the museum was inaugurated by the French president, François Mitterrand. It has collection from French art from period 1848 to 1915 of paintings and sculptures from Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin and Van Gogh.
017-GRAND PALASIS- The Grand Palais (Great Palace), is a large historic site, exhibition hall and museum complex located at the Champs-Élysées. Construction of the Grand Palais began in 1897.The Grand Palais is currently the largest existing ironwork and glass structure in the world.The Grand Palais has a major police station in the basement .The building's west wing also contains a science museum, the Palais de la Découverte. For more than 100 years, the Grand Palais has been a public exhibition hall and host to a variety of grand events. The couture fashion house Chanel annually hosts many of its fashion shows here, setting up elaborate and expensive surroundings for its models and hosts.
018-PETIT PALAIS-Facing the Grand Palais, the magnificent Petit Palais as the outside of Petit Palais is very impressive, houses an excellent collection of art work from various centuries. Petit Palais, Paris is like many Beaux Arts buildings, it combines Greek and Roman forms but also includes plenty of ornamentation, making it rather eclectic in style. Originally constructed as a temporary structure to host a Universal Exposition -1900 of French art. Most impressive is the collection of wonderful 18th and 19th century French paintings including works by such magnificent artists as Delacroix, Monet, Sisley, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec and Courbet. In all, this museum owns about 12,000 prints and hundreds more tapestries, sculptures, medieval objects, manuscripts.
019-PALACE VENDOME- Palace Vendome is a famous square made by Louis XIV, The Sun King. One of the most beautiful squares in Paris, the place Vendome is a symbol of luxury. The place is truly beautiful, close to the Louvre, the Rue de Rivoli. In the centre of square is a column erected by Napoleon to commemorate the victory at Austerlitz in 1805.It is a 144 ft tall column. The reliefs depict the scene during the Austria and Russia war. There is a statue on the top of the column of Napoleon I installed by Napoleon III. Around the square are Hotel Ritz, Hotel Vendome, Park Hayat, Bristol. The most famous people that once lived in this area were Italian Countess de Castiglione-Virginia Oldoini and Polish music composer Frédéric François Chopin .Ernest Hemingway lived in Hotel Ritz in 1944. The Hotel de Bourvallais located at numbers 11 and 13 and number 14 houses the Paris office of JP Morgan, the investment bank of USA. Coco Chanel has house at number 15.
020- PALACE DES VOSGES- The Place des Vosges is now a peaceful place, a nice central park surrounded by arcades with shops and cafes and it was the oldest planned square in Paris. The Place des Vosges initiated subsequent developments of Paris that created a suitable urban background for the French aristocracy. It is located in the historical Marais district. The square was officially inaugurated in 1612 as the 'Place Royale'. A statue of King Louis XIII was installed in 1825.In 1604 during King Henry IV who built a Royal pavilion at the southern end measuring 140mx140m and after that similar 35 buildings were constructed with red brick and white lime facades with steep slate roof. There are King Pavilion and Queen Pavilion opposite each other. Victor Hugo, author of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' lived on the second floor of house nr 6, the 'Hôtel de Rohan-Guéménée', from 1832 to 1848 now turned into a museum.
021-PALACE DES VICTORIES- The sole purpose of the square was to provide a perfect backdrop for a new statue of the king. The square surrounds the curved facades of the houses. The proportions of the houses were carefully designed in relation to the statue of the reigning King. The statue of Louis XIV - the 'Sun King' - was installed at the centre in 1686. It was erected as part of a memorial that commemorated the Treaties of Peace of Nijmegen (1678-1679), which ended the war between France and several other European nations. The present statue is a King Louis XIV on a horse.
022-PALAIS DE CHAILLOT- This building was built to host the World’s Fair in 1937. From the Palais de Chaillot one has an excellent view of the Eiffel Tower on the other side of the Seine. This building has two wings that formed a wide arc, built on the foundations of the old palace. The wings were not connected but were left independent. In the centre is a wide esplanade that allows visitors to catch the best view of the Eiffel Tower. It was on the front terrace of the palace that Adolf Hitler was pictured during his short tour of the city in 1940, with the Eiffel Tower in the background. This became an iconic image of the Second World War. Large bronze statues of Apollo and Hercules stand in front of each wing. There are numbers of museums in the building. In the south wing, there are two - the Musée de la Marine (Naval Museum) and the Musée de l'Homme (The Museum of Man). There's also an architecture museum - the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine, which opened in 2007. The Théâtre National de Chaillot is located below the esplanade with 1,200 seats. There is an aquarium known as Cinéaqua.
023-TUILERIES GARDEN-It is a garden located between Louvere Museum and Palace de la Concord. It was opened to public in 1667.It was an old area making roof tiles called Tuileries. It offers the pleasure of strolling among the French parterres, groves of trees, ponds and small sculptures. Even in the 18th century the park featured amenities such as cafes, kiosks, deck chairs and public toilets. The Jardins des Tuileries is a museum of outdoor sculptures many of them of the era of Louis XIV to the present day. For visitors & child, the Tuileries also offer playgrounds, pools where to rent boats, pony rides and even a large funfair during the summer months. In the park there are two museums, the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume and the Musée de l'Orangerie, which displays Claude Monet's large water lily paintings. In the midst of vast lawns, many statues of Rodin (The Kiss, Eve, Meditation, The Great Shadow), or Coysevox Carpeaux, but also contemporary works of Max Ernst (Microbe seen through a temperament), Alberto Giacometti (Great Woman II), Jean Dubuffet (Bel Costume), Henry Moore (Reclining Figure), which form a truly remarkable museum of outdoor sculpture. In 1999 the Passerelle de Solférino (now the Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor), a footbridge across the Seine opened, linking the Tuileries with the Musée d'Orsay.
024-JARDIN DU LUXEMBOURG-It is the second largest garden in Paris and housed in Luxembourg Palace. The garden contains just over a hundred statues, monuments and fountains, scattered throughout the grounds. Surrounding the central green space are about twenty figures of historical French queens and female saints commissioned by Louis-Philippe in 1848, standing on pedestals, including statues of Jeanne III of Navarre, Blanche of Castile, Anne of Austria, Louise of Savoy and Anne of France. The Fontaine de l'Observatoire is a monumental fountain in the garden. It is the work of four sculptorist. It is the fountain with four nude women into representatives of the four parts of the world, Europe, Asia, Africa and America, twisting their bodies to turn the sphere, giving the earth motion. There are also eight horses, marine turtles and spouting fish.
025-PALAIS DU TROCADERO- During World Fair of 1878 Palas du Trocadero was built on the hill of Chaillot. It has two wings and two towers for international meetings during fair. The building is located across the Eiffel Tower. For World fair in 1937, the Palais du Trocadero was demolished and replaced by the Palais de Chaillot.
026- JARDIN DU TORCADERO- It is a big garden between Palais de Chaillot and on the north by river Seine. It is on the opposite bank of Eiffel Tower. The main feature are the fountains. There are twelve big fountains creating 12 columns of 12 meters high water with 24 smaller fountains with four meter high water and ten arches of water between the big fountains. There are other fountains and numbers of sculptures. On the river side is the road –Av. De New York which joins the other bank on which Eiffel tower is located is through Ponte D’lena.
027- CHAMP DE MARS - The Champ de Mars is an expansive green area at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. It can accommodate thousands of visitors as they sit on the grass or rest on the benches enjoying the Eiffel Tower in front of them. It is about 60 acres. The Wall of Peace is a current memorial that is right in the middle of the Champ de Mars constructed in 2000 .It is between Seine River on north side and Ecole Militaire on south side. A hotspot for national events, it can be accessed freely and offers the most beautiful view of the capital’s landmark monument. Parisians and tourists gather on its lawns to picnic, play music, and watch the Eiffel Tower’s twinkling lights at nightfall. Previously it was a training ground for cadet officers of Ecole Militare. At the end of the 18th century, the terrain began to be used as a site for festivals and other celebratory occasions. The Monument of Peace is an ultra-modern memorial consists of 32 columns and two glass structures. Near the Eiffel tower are playgrounds for children and plenty of other spaces for entertainment. Champ de Mars is also the site of the annual Bastille Day festivities, which include a gala fireworks display.
028-CENTRE GEORGE POMPIDOU- The Centre Pompidou is home to one of the world's most important museums of modern art, the MNAM, but it also contains a very popular library, a bookshop, a movie theatre and a panoramic terrace. The library occupies the first three floors of the building, while the museum's permanent collection is located on floors 4 and 5. The first and top floor is used for large expositions. The museum has one of the most important collections of modern art. Its more than 59,000 works cover a broad spectrum of 20th century arts.
029-NATIONAL ASSEMBLY/ PALAIS BOURBON - This building which is also known as the Palais Bourbon was built between 1722 and 1728 by the Duchesse de Bourbon, daughter of Louis XIV. In 1795, the building was allocated for use by the lower house, the so-called Conseil des Cinq-Cents/National Assembly. The chamber was inaugurated in 1798.The French Parliament consists of Senate and National Assembly. Each assembly conducts legislative sessions at a separate location in Paris: the Palais du Luxembourg for the Senate and the Palais Bourbon for the National Assembly.
030- LA DEFENCE- In 1951, the Défense site was chosen as an office centre. In 1958 development of the area was started. A new monument was built at the entrance of the Défense as a counterweight for the Arc de Triomphe: known as the Grande Arche de la Défense. The structure looks like a cube-shaped building than a triumphal arch. The 106 meters wide building has a central archway. The sides of the cube contain offices while the rooftop has a belvedere and was open to visitors.
031-ILE DE LA CITE- Île de la Cité is one of two natural islands (other is Lle Saint-Lous on downstream side) that is located in the middle of the Seine. All distances in Paris are measured from the centre of the island. Île de la Cité is probably the oldest settlement in the city of Paris, set up around the 3rd century B.C. the Romans, the settlement was rebuilt as the Roman city of Lutetia. Later, from the 6th through the 14th centuries, the kings of France lived on the Île de la Cité. The most famous landmark on the island is the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral. Island is connected by Pont neuf with the main land Paris. The Palais de la Justice built in the 18th century to house the French equivalent of the Supreme Court is also situated on this island. Conciergere, Prefecture de Police, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital and Tribunal de Commerce. Saint-Chapelle, Palace Dauphine are here.
032-RUE DE LA PAIX- It is a small street of 230 meter length between Palace Vendome and Opera Garnier. This is best known for jeweller’s shop of Cartier who opened the shop in 1898.The street was opened in 1806 on the right of Bank of Paris, to develop the area.
033-GALERIES LAFYETTE- The name of the store referred to its original address at Rue La Fayette, at walking distance from the Opera Garnier at the Boulevard Haussmann, a ten story building crowned with a magnificent glass and iron dome. The store expanded rapidly with the purchase of several buildings across the street and Galeries Lafayette evolved into a major department store, selling a whole range of products.
034-MONTMARTRE- Montmartre has plenty of charm and atmosphere and by far the best way to see it is on foot. One of the most popular historic areas with the Sacré-Cœur Basilica on the top of the 130 meter high hill, the highest point in Paris. Reach by Anvers metro station on line 2, take a walk straight up towards the basilica. There is a funicular railway up the hill for those who don't like the climbing the 222 steps to the entrance of the basilica.The steps are not hard and wind up through a garden, with great views over the rooftops of Paris. At the top, the Sacré Coeur Basilica has the largest mosaic in France. Beside the Sacré Coeur, the old "village" of Montmartre, with its narrow streets and square, filled with artists’ studios, street artists, cafés and restaurants. Though some of the artists will make a decent portrait, there are also many scam artists, if you want to have your portrait done, prefer the more sedentary artists on the square. Montmartre is worth a visit for the atmosphere. It’s famous for the cafés and studios of many great artists, and it’s easily recognizable as the filming location of the movie "Amélie." Other famous places situated here are Moulin Rouge nightclub and Lapin Agile. It seems the inspiration flows in these streets as many famous artists have worked here, among them Salvador Dali, Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. Downhill to the southwest, is the red-light district of Pigalle .
035-WALK ALONG BANK OF RIVER SEINE- The Seine River flows from east to west through the heart of the city and divides Paris's Left Bank and Right Bank. River banks are popular places for a stroll, the banks of the Seine in Paris, are among the world's most famous riverside embankments. Starting from Notre Dame, wander along the banks of the river either upstream, or to the downstream Ile Saint Louis, or downstream through Promenade Maurice Careme to the Pont Neuf and beyond. Up at road level, the banks of the Seine are home to hundreds of second-hand bookstalls. Many still do sell old books; others sell old prints or modern copies of old prints, even old maps and historic newspapers, others sell postcards and souvenirs. The bouquinistes are a historic Parisian tradition. On the right bank of the Ile de la Cité, enjoy the sights and smells of the historic Paris flower market. Down near water level, the lower quais, once used as towpaths, are among the great romantic spots in Paris.
036-WALK IN LATIN QUARTER-The narrow streets off the left bank of the Seine that is the left bank in relation to the flow of the river are full of small shops, from classic tourist shops to clothes shops, as well as cafés and restaurants. There are also arts and craft shops, including antiquarian booksellers, specialist bookshops and small art galleries. Walk through the old streets, enjoy the sights and smells from the many small restaurants in the little streets between the Boulevard Saint Germain and the Seine; or look at books and go window shopping in the stores of the Boulevard Saint Michel. This area is opposite to Lle la Cite and Lle Saint Louis and National Museum of Natural History.
037-WALK ALONG- Louvre – Tuileries Garden-Champs Elysées - Arc de Triomphe -Enjoy the experience of the Louvre from the outside. Wander through the main courtyard of the Louvre and view the glass pyramid close up. It is more impressive from the outside than from inside. Then cross the Place du Carrousel, past the Arc de Trimphe du Carrousel and into the Tuileries Gardens. The Carroussel arch is topped by a nineteenth-century replica of the Quadriga, or Horses of Saint Marks, the finest Roman equestrian bronze statues, which used to adorn St. Mark's cathedral in Venice. The Tuileries gardens are a popular park for Parisians and tourists alike. At the far end from the Louvre, they give onto the Place de la Concorde, in the middle of which stands the oldest monument in Paris, the 75 ft. Luxor obelisk dating from the thirteenth century BC. From the Place de la Concorde, then wander up the Champs Elysées, the most famous street in the world. This magnificent tree-lined boulevard runs 1900 meter from the Place de la Concorde to the Place Charles de Gaulle, or Place de l'Etoile, in the middle of which stands the great Arc de Triomphe, or Triumphal Arch, erected in the 19th century to commemorate the victories of Napoleon. Walk up the Champs Elysées on the right side if you want to see the most popular shops, including many flagship outlets for international brands.
038-PONT ALEXANDRE III-Pont Alexandre, from above and from below, it is the most ornate iron bridge in Paris. It is a single span arch bridge and constructed from steel and stone in the Art Nouveau style. The bridge, with its exuberant, Art Nouveau lamps, cherubs, nymphs and winged horses at either end, was built between 1896 and 1900. It was opened by the last Russian Tzar, Nicholas II, who also laid the foundation stone, in 1900 to celebrate the Franco-Russian alliance. And it was named in memory of his father. It spans the Seine between the 7th and 8th arrondissements, from Invalides to avenue Winston Churchill, leading to the Champs-Elysées. This makes a truly great vista and a marvellous walk in any weather. Four gilt-bronze statues of Fames watch over the bridge, at the centres of the arches, Nymphs of the Seine with the arms of France,
039-PONT NEUF- It is the oldest bridge across the river Seine on upstream side of Pont Alexandre III. It is on the western point of the island of Ile de la Cite. The bridge is in two parts. One part with five arches bridging left bank, the second has seven arches and joins island to right side. The construction of bridge was started during King Henry III in 1577.The bridge was completed in 1607 during the reign of Henery IV. There is a statue of King Henry IV at the crossing of Island and the Bridge.
040-PONT DU CARROUSEL-Pont du Carrousel on the left, crosses the Seine at the Louvre between the Quai des Tuileries and the Quai Voltaire, and was built in 1834.
041-PONT AU CHANGE- Pont au Change, on the right, crosses the Seine from Chatelet to Ile de la Cité. It got its name because of all the business that was done on the old bridge was goldsmiths and moneychangers built their shops and homes. The present bridge dates from 1859.
042-PONT DES ARTS-The Pont des Arts or Passerelle des Arts is a pedestrian bridge in Paris which crosses the Seine River. It links the Institut de France and the central square (cour carrée) of the palais du Louvre. In recent years, many tourist couples have taken to attaching padlocks with their first names written or engraved on it to the railing or the grate on the side of the bridge, then throwing the key into the Seine river below, as a romantic gesture. This gesture is said to represent a couple's committed love.
043-PONT DES INVALIDES - There was a suspension bridge with three spans of 24m, 68 m and 25 m supported by 20 m gantries. This structure entered service in 1829, but as early as 1850, it showed such signs of fatigue that access had to be restricted. The super structure of bridge was demolished and a new bridge was constructed using existing abutments and piers of the previous suspension bridge. Only the central pier was new. It was decorated by two allegorical groups, Victory on land by Victor Vilain upstream, and Victory at sea by Georges Diébolt downstream. The lateral piers are decorated with military trophies bearing the imperial coat of arms.
044-STATUE OF LIBERTY- REPLICA- A notable feature is a one-fourth scale replica of the Statue of Liberty, 22 meters high and facing west in the direction of its larger sibling in New York City. This monument, which was inaugurated by French President Marie François Sadi Carnot on 4 July 1889 (nearly three years after its counterpart), was given to the city of Paris by the American community of Paris, commemorating the centennial of the French Revolution. The statue is located at Île aux Cygnes which is a small artificial island in the Seine. It is an artificially created island, formed in 1827 to protect the port of Grenelle. It is a narrow island of 850 meters long and 11 meters at its widest point.
045-SCIENE RIVER BOAT CRUISE- The boat will depart from the foot of the Eiffel Tower for a tour showing all of the Paris most beautiful landmarks. View the history of the City of Lights during this cruise. Recorded audio-commentaries will be broadcast during the journey so that one can find out more about the history of these monuments. Along the river cruise will see- Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, Musee du Louvre, Musee d'Orsay,Assemblée Nationale (The National Assembly building),Hotel des Invalides, Pont Neuf (Paris' oldest bridge, dating to the 16th century),Pont Alexandre III (Art Nouveau bridge dating to 1896),Grand Palais (Belle Epoque building housing National Galleries). This famous Seine River flows from east to west through the heart of the city and divides Paris's Left Bank and Right Bank and meets English Channel to the west.
046-LIDO DE PARIS -Located on the Champs-Elysées, the Lido opened its doors in 1946, shortly after the end of World War II and the liberation of Paris. The mainstay revue, famed for its elaborate, elegant costumes and multicultural twists, features 60 dancers, 600 costumes and 23 different sets. With the addition of an ice rink, pool and water screen, the Lido de Paris includes technology and machinery to make the spectacles come to life. Night time Paris comes alive at the Lido and its show provides unique entertainment. Bonheur opened in 2003 and has thrilled and excited audiences since. One becomes enchanted by the Bluebell Girls and Lido Boy Dancers, as a bird-like woman discovers happiness through visits to different worlds: Paris, Women, India and the Cinema. The show reveals glittering worlds of dance and music that will leaves the audience breathless. The giant moving stage, screens, lasers and the famous Bluebell girls combine to make the Lido an adventure in the best of entertainment.
047-LE MOULIN ROUGE-The Moulin Rouge is the most famous Paris cabaret. Moulin Rouge is best known as the spiritual birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. The can-can dance style evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction of cabarets across Europe. Built in 1889, the club was the essence of a Bohemian, Belle Epoque Paris, where artists converged to produce and attend colorful and performances. It is located in district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement, it is marked by the red windmill on its roof. The closest metro station is Blanche.
048-CRAZY HORSE -One of the racier traditional Paris cabarets, the Crazy Horse prides itself on its distinctly burlesque aesthetic and more contemporary style. This one's strictly for adults. The cabaret show which is known for its stage shows performed by nude female dancers and for the diverse range of magic and variety 'turns' between each nude show. It's the magic of lights and costumes. These are my dreams and fascinations that put on stage. Located at Haussmanian building at 12 Avenue George-V.
049-PLACE CHARLES DE GAULLE- The Place Charles de Gaulle, historically known as the Place de l'Étoile(Star Square), is a large road junction in Paris, the meeting point of twelve straight avenues including the Champs-Élysées which continues to the east. It was renamed in 1970 following the death of General and President Charles de Gaulle. It is still often referred to by its original name, and the nearby metro station retains the designation Charles de Gaulle – Étoile (line-2).
050-THE MONUMENT OF PEACE- This Monument is located on the Champs de Mars and was inspired by the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Located at the other end of the mall from the Eiffel Tower, this monument is called "The Wall For Peace". Made mostly of glass, it features the word “peace” written in 32 languages and 18 alphabets. Visitors are encouraged to leave messages in the cracks...as people leave prayers at the Wailing Wall. The site was dedicated March 30, 2000. The artist is Clara Halter and the architect is Jean-Michel Wilmotte.
051-PIGALLE- Pigalle is a well-known spot for tourists who want to experience "Paris by Night". It is home to some of Paris' most famous Cabarets Moulin Rouge, as well as topless and nude shows.
PARIS DAY OUT TOURS –
1-VERSAILLES AND GIVERNY DAY TOUR FROM PARIS-This tours takes about 10 hours. The Versailles is about 20 kms southwest from Paris. Giverny is about 80kms from Paris.
2-LOIRE CHÂTEAUX DAY TOUR FROM PARIS- This tours takes about 12 hours. Visit three of the Loire Valley′s finest Châteaux in one day. i- Château de Chambord ii- Château de Cheverny iii- Chenonceau Château, the Ladies′ Castle.
Distance from Chateau de Chambord to Paris is 178kms.
3- DISNEYLAND® PARIS DAY TOURS FROM PARIS- This tours takes about 9 hours. It is an entertainment resort located 32 km east of the centre of Paris at in Marne-la-Vallée village a newly developed one.
1-VERSAILLES AND GIVERNY DAY TOUR FROM PARIS-This tours takes about 10 hours. The Versailles is about 20 kms southwest from Paris. Giverny is about 80kms from Paris.
2-LOIRE CHÂTEAUX DAY TOUR FROM PARIS- This tours takes about 12 hours. Visit three of the Loire Valley′s finest Châteaux in one day. i- Château de Chambord ii- Château de Cheverny iii- Chenonceau Château, the Ladies′ Castle.
Distance from Chateau de Chambord to Paris is 178kms.
3- DISNEYLAND® PARIS DAY TOURS FROM PARIS- This tours takes about 9 hours. It is an entertainment resort located 32 km east of the centre of Paris at in Marne-la-Vallée village a newly developed one.
001-VERSAILLES PALACE-
HISTORY OF VERSAILLES PALACE-This is the most magnificent palace of the world. Its building architecture, interior decorations and garden were the model for the design of palaces in the world. The town of Versailles located about 20 kilometres outside of Paris. The site began as Louis XIII’s hunting lodge. Louis XIII (27 September 1601 – 14 May 1643) was a monarch of the House of Bourbon, ruled as King of France from 1610 to 1643.Louis XIII coronation was on 17 October 1610 at the age of eight and half and remained up to 14May 1643.The successor of Louis XIII was his son Louis XIV (5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715).He ruled as king from14 May 1643 – 1 September 1715. ), He was known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand) or the Sun King (le Roi-Soleil), who ruled as King of France from 1643 until his death. His reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest of monarchs of major countries in European history. He distrusted the Parisians and wanted to move his Royal Residence away from the Louvre Palace, which was the constant political turbulence. During the period of Louis XIV Palace and garden were started at large scale, this was parallel to the victories he made over his three enemies. Most of the palace and garden work was done from 1664 to 1710. Louis converted a hunting lodge built by Louis XIII into the spectacular Palace of Versailles. With the exception of the current Royal Chapel (built near the end of Louis's reign), the palace achieved much of its current appearance. He moved the court and government of France to Versailles in 1682, displacing the centre of power from the Palais Royal in central Paris to the countryside. After Louis IV his successor was LouisV, he reigned the France from 1 September 1715 – 10 May 1774. Louis XV was born in the Palace of Versailles on 15 February 1710. Louis XV died on 10 May 1774 of smallpox at the Palace of Versailles. Louis XV successor was Louis XVI who reigned from 10 May 1774 – 21 September 1792.During French Revolution from 1789 to 1799. Louis was officially arrested on 13 August 1792, and sent to the Temple, an ancient fortress in Paris that was used as a prison. On Monday, 21 January 1793, Louis was beheaded by guillotine on the Place de la Revolution. And Louis XVI was the last French King who lived in Versailles Palace. Therefore, each of the three French kings who lived there until the French Revolution added improvements to make it more beautiful. During the French Revolution, the incredible collection of paintings, antiques, and other works of art that had been amassed at Versailles were transferred to the Louvre. The château lost its standing as the official seat of power in 1789. During the reign of Louis-Phillipe who, in 1830, transformed the chateau into a grand museum, dedicated to "the glory of France." In his time many of the château’s rooms were taken over to house the collections, which were added to until the early 20th century. The main chateau itself is 67,000m2/721,180sq feet and has 2,300 rooms. The chateau is set in the 800 ha. Gardens of Versailles which also house a number of other buildings including two smaller palaces. Each year, the gardens of the château de Versailles celebrate the arrival of spring by launching its Musical Fountain Display.From the Château's terrace, the ideal place for admiring the wide view stretching to the horizon, visitors are invited in the maze of water and plants .The Musical Fountain Display on every Saturday and Sunday from the 31st of March to the 28th of October as well as some national holidays.
HISTORY OF VERSAILLES PALACE-This is the most magnificent palace of the world. Its building architecture, interior decorations and garden were the model for the design of palaces in the world. The town of Versailles located about 20 kilometres outside of Paris. The site began as Louis XIII’s hunting lodge. Louis XIII (27 September 1601 – 14 May 1643) was a monarch of the House of Bourbon, ruled as King of France from 1610 to 1643.Louis XIII coronation was on 17 October 1610 at the age of eight and half and remained up to 14May 1643.The successor of Louis XIII was his son Louis XIV (5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715).He ruled as king from14 May 1643 – 1 September 1715. ), He was known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand) or the Sun King (le Roi-Soleil), who ruled as King of France from 1643 until his death. His reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest of monarchs of major countries in European history. He distrusted the Parisians and wanted to move his Royal Residence away from the Louvre Palace, which was the constant political turbulence. During the period of Louis XIV Palace and garden were started at large scale, this was parallel to the victories he made over his three enemies. Most of the palace and garden work was done from 1664 to 1710. Louis converted a hunting lodge built by Louis XIII into the spectacular Palace of Versailles. With the exception of the current Royal Chapel (built near the end of Louis's reign), the palace achieved much of its current appearance. He moved the court and government of France to Versailles in 1682, displacing the centre of power from the Palais Royal in central Paris to the countryside. After Louis IV his successor was LouisV, he reigned the France from 1 September 1715 – 10 May 1774. Louis XV was born in the Palace of Versailles on 15 February 1710. Louis XV died on 10 May 1774 of smallpox at the Palace of Versailles. Louis XV successor was Louis XVI who reigned from 10 May 1774 – 21 September 1792.During French Revolution from 1789 to 1799. Louis was officially arrested on 13 August 1792, and sent to the Temple, an ancient fortress in Paris that was used as a prison. On Monday, 21 January 1793, Louis was beheaded by guillotine on the Place de la Revolution. And Louis XVI was the last French King who lived in Versailles Palace. Therefore, each of the three French kings who lived there until the French Revolution added improvements to make it more beautiful. During the French Revolution, the incredible collection of paintings, antiques, and other works of art that had been amassed at Versailles were transferred to the Louvre. The château lost its standing as the official seat of power in 1789. During the reign of Louis-Phillipe who, in 1830, transformed the chateau into a grand museum, dedicated to "the glory of France." In his time many of the château’s rooms were taken over to house the collections, which were added to until the early 20th century. The main chateau itself is 67,000m2/721,180sq feet and has 2,300 rooms. The chateau is set in the 800 ha. Gardens of Versailles which also house a number of other buildings including two smaller palaces. Each year, the gardens of the château de Versailles celebrate the arrival of spring by launching its Musical Fountain Display.From the Château's terrace, the ideal place for admiring the wide view stretching to the horizon, visitors are invited in the maze of water and plants .The Musical Fountain Display on every Saturday and Sunday from the 31st of March to the 28th of October as well as some national holidays.
THE HALL OF MIRRORS-This is the Louis XIV's most magnificent and expensive contribution to Versailles. In those days it was called Grand Gallery. It was used daily by courtiers and visitors for passing through, waiting and for meeting people. The hall was the show of power and glorifies the political, economic and artistic success of France. This gallery was constructed after the victory over the three powers-Germany, Spain and Holland. This magnificent hall is 73 meters long x 10.5 meters wide x 12.3 meters high (240x34x40ft). It is called Hall of Mirrors because three hundred and fifty-seven mirrors that decorate the seventeen arches opposite the windows,that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows which look out onto Versailles magnificent garden. It was only used for ceremonies on exceptional occasions. There were also the wedding celebrations of the Duke of Burgundy, grandson of Louis XIV, in 1697, of the son of Louis XV in 1745 and the masked ball for the wedding of Marie-Antoinette and the Dauphin, the future Louis XVI, in May 1770. It was also here that the treaty of Versailles was signed on 28th June 1919.
THE WAR SALON-The War Room was started in 1678. The decorations completed in 1686, This room glorifies the military victories that led to the Peace of Nijmegen. The walls are covered with marble panels decorated with six trophies and gilded bronze carvings. The wall on one side has an oval plasterwork bas-relief representing Louis XIV on horseback attacking his enemies. The ceiling, represents France in the centre, armed and sitting on a cloud, surrounded by Victories. A portrait of Louis XIV decorates her shield. The ceiling panels portray the king’s three conquered enemies- Germany, kneeling, with an eagle, Spain, threatening, with a roaring lion and Holland, upside down on a lion. The fourth panel represents, Goddess of war.
THE PEACE SALON-The Peace Room features the same decoration of marble panel and trophies of gilded bronze and carved weapons as in the War Room, to which is symmetrical. It was here that, Queen Marie Leszczinska, King Louis XV wife, gave religious concerts every Sunday.
THE KING’S GRAND APARTMENT -They consists of seven-room (Originally known as the Apartment of the Planets -the 7 salons of this apartment each featured a painting of a planet) was to serve as a parade apartment, as a venue for the sovereign’s official work.
i-The Hercules Salon-The first salon of the King’s Grand Apartment, the Hercules salon was actually the last to be created, at the end of Louis XIV’s reign. The painting of the vault depicting the Apotheosis of Hercules. This vast composition with 142 but it was painted on primed canvases.
ii-The Abundance Salon-This was the room for refreshments, where a buffet served coffee, wine and liqueurs. The king liked to show his distinguished guests the silverware vases, gems and medals.
iii-The Venus Salon-Here Venus is painted on the ceiling of this Salon, the Goddess of Love who, in Greek Antiquity. Of the entire enfilade, the Venus Salon presents the most baroque decor.
iv-The Diana Salon-This room was used as billiard room. Sister of Sun God Diana has been painted with moon.
v-The Mars Salon- The court ballets rehearsals and for music and dancing, so that it was commonly known as the "ballroom". The room is painted Mars on a chariot drawn by wolves
vi-The Mercury Salon-The ceiling painted represents Mercury on his chariot drawn by two cocks.
vii-The Apollo Salon-The Apollo Salon, dedicated to the Sun God, god of the Arts and Peace, with whom Louis XIV identified, was the most luxurious of all.
i-The Hercules Salon-The first salon of the King’s Grand Apartment, the Hercules salon was actually the last to be created, at the end of Louis XIV’s reign. The painting of the vault depicting the Apotheosis of Hercules. This vast composition with 142 but it was painted on primed canvases.
ii-The Abundance Salon-This was the room for refreshments, where a buffet served coffee, wine and liqueurs. The king liked to show his distinguished guests the silverware vases, gems and medals.
iii-The Venus Salon-Here Venus is painted on the ceiling of this Salon, the Goddess of Love who, in Greek Antiquity. Of the entire enfilade, the Venus Salon presents the most baroque decor.
iv-The Diana Salon-This room was used as billiard room. Sister of Sun God Diana has been painted with moon.
v-The Mars Salon- The court ballets rehearsals and for music and dancing, so that it was commonly known as the "ballroom". The room is painted Mars on a chariot drawn by wolves
vi-The Mercury Salon-The ceiling painted represents Mercury on his chariot drawn by two cocks.
vii-The Apollo Salon-The Apollo Salon, dedicated to the Sun God, god of the Arts and Peace, with whom Louis XIV identified, was the most luxurious of all.
THE KING’S CHAMBER-
i-The Bull’s Eye Salon-The courtiers waited in the Bull’s Eye Salon, a large antechamber created in 1701, its entrance guarded by a Swiss Guard.
ii-The King’s Chamber-This room lying east-west in the Palace, facing the rising sun. It was in this chamber, become the visible sanctuary of the monarchy, it is where the King’s rising and retiring took place. It was the chamber that Louis XIV died on 1 September 1715 after reigning for 72 years. This is the most beautiful room in the palace.
iii-The Council Study-Here the King’s Study where Louis XIV held his ministerial councils for financial and state matters and the Terms Study. The study was decorated in sumptuous wood panelling featuring new decorative motifs.
i-The Bull’s Eye Salon-The courtiers waited in the Bull’s Eye Salon, a large antechamber created in 1701, its entrance guarded by a Swiss Guard.
ii-The King’s Chamber-This room lying east-west in the Palace, facing the rising sun. It was in this chamber, become the visible sanctuary of the monarchy, it is where the King’s rising and retiring took place. It was the chamber that Louis XIV died on 1 September 1715 after reigning for 72 years. This is the most beautiful room in the palace.
iii-The Council Study-Here the King’s Study where Louis XIV held his ministerial councils for financial and state matters and the Terms Study. The study was decorated in sumptuous wood panelling featuring new decorative motifs.
THE QUEEN’S GRAND APARTMENT-
i-The Queen’s Chamber-The chamber is the main room of the apartment, the one where the Queen spent most of her time. She slept here, often joined by the King. It was here, that births took place in public, nineteen "Children of France" were born here. The décor retains the memory of the three queens who occupied the room.
ii-The Nobles Salon-An antechamber of Queen Marie-Thérèse, it was the room where Marie Leszczinska granted her solemn audiences, seated under a canopy. She also had her circle here, as the regulated conversation with the ladies of the Court was called at that time.
iii-The Antechamber of the Grand Couvert-It was in the Queen’s antechamber that the public meals were held. Only the royal family could take their places at the table and seated.
iv-The Guard Room-The Queen’s Guard Room is the only room of the enfilade whose 17th century decor has been preserved. The service of the bodyguards, at the château, consisted in guarding the doors of the apartments, taking up arms when the princes passed, man the chapel during mass and escort the dinners of the royal family.
i-The Queen’s Chamber-The chamber is the main room of the apartment, the one where the Queen spent most of her time. She slept here, often joined by the King. It was here, that births took place in public, nineteen "Children of France" were born here. The décor retains the memory of the three queens who occupied the room.
ii-The Nobles Salon-An antechamber of Queen Marie-Thérèse, it was the room where Marie Leszczinska granted her solemn audiences, seated under a canopy. She also had her circle here, as the regulated conversation with the ladies of the Court was called at that time.
iii-The Antechamber of the Grand Couvert-It was in the Queen’s antechamber that the public meals were held. Only the royal family could take their places at the table and seated.
iv-The Guard Room-The Queen’s Guard Room is the only room of the enfilade whose 17th century decor has been preserved. The service of the bodyguards, at the château, consisted in guarding the doors of the apartments, taking up arms when the princes passed, man the chapel during mass and escort the dinners of the royal family.
THE ROYAL CHAPEL-In French monarchy, it is a thought that the king was chosen by God and through his coronation became his “lieutenant” on earth. The paintings and sculptures in the chapel at Versailles depicts the same thought. This chapel was opened in 1710 and King Louis XIV used only for five years before his death. Each day, generally at 10 a.m., the Court would attend the king’s mass. The king would sit in the royal gallery, surrounded by his family.
GARDEN-In 1661 the construction of grand garden was started. The garden was finally completed in 1701 and took forty years of work. From the central window of the Hall of Mirrors, the view of the grand garden with Water Parterre and the Royal Path and Grand Canal, is the best view of the world of a garden. This vast perspective stretches from the façade of the Château de Versailles to the railings of the park.
i-The Grand Canal- The Grand Canal, 1,670 meters long. In 1669, Louis XIV ordered rowing boats in the canal King used to enjoy the boat ride, since then known as Little Venice.
ii-Swiss Lake- The earth removed during the works was used to lay down the king’s vegetable garden as it was enlarged in 1678 by Swiss Guards , the lake gets its name. It is on the left side of the palace on the back.
iii-The Water Parterres- There are two large rectangular pools reflect the sunlight and light up the façade of the Hall of Mirrors ,located just behind the palace. This aspect has been used as décor of the Palace. They were completed in 1685. Each pool is decorated with four reclining statues symbolizing the rivers of France: the Loire and the Loiret, the Rhône and the Saône, the Seine and the Marne, the Garonne and the Dordogne and added with four nymphs and four groups of children.
iv-The Fountains-Versailles features many fountains that were technological marvels for their time. Few very beautiful and big fountains in the garden are-
a-Latona Fountain- The central marble group represents Latona and her children.The Latona fountain illustrates the story of Apollo’s mother and Diana protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia, and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard their plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. It is on the back side and at the central axis of the palace.
b-The Apollo Fountain-Located just down side of Latona Fountain and near to the Garand Canal. The fountain represents Apollo on his chariot. It is inspired by the legend of Apollo, the Sun gold and emblem of the king.
c-The Pyramid Fountain-Located at right side of the palace on the back side. It consists of four superimposed lead bowls supported by lead tritons, dolphins and crayfish.
d-The Neptune Fountain-The fountain illustrates six ocean gods in three groups- Neptune and Amphitrite, Proteus and the Ocean. The Jet of water was coming out from the sculptures in variety of styles. Located on the back of palace at right side.
i-The Grand Canal- The Grand Canal, 1,670 meters long. In 1669, Louis XIV ordered rowing boats in the canal King used to enjoy the boat ride, since then known as Little Venice.
ii-Swiss Lake- The earth removed during the works was used to lay down the king’s vegetable garden as it was enlarged in 1678 by Swiss Guards , the lake gets its name. It is on the left side of the palace on the back.
iii-The Water Parterres- There are two large rectangular pools reflect the sunlight and light up the façade of the Hall of Mirrors ,located just behind the palace. This aspect has been used as décor of the Palace. They were completed in 1685. Each pool is decorated with four reclining statues symbolizing the rivers of France: the Loire and the Loiret, the Rhône and the Saône, the Seine and the Marne, the Garonne and the Dordogne and added with four nymphs and four groups of children.
iv-The Fountains-Versailles features many fountains that were technological marvels for their time. Few very beautiful and big fountains in the garden are-
a-Latona Fountain- The central marble group represents Latona and her children.The Latona fountain illustrates the story of Apollo’s mother and Diana protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia, and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard their plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. It is on the back side and at the central axis of the palace.
b-The Apollo Fountain-Located just down side of Latona Fountain and near to the Garand Canal. The fountain represents Apollo on his chariot. It is inspired by the legend of Apollo, the Sun gold and emblem of the king.
c-The Pyramid Fountain-Located at right side of the palace on the back side. It consists of four superimposed lead bowls supported by lead tritons, dolphins and crayfish.
d-The Neptune Fountain-The fountain illustrates six ocean gods in three groups- Neptune and Amphitrite, Proteus and the Ocean. The Jet of water was coming out from the sculptures in variety of styles. Located on the back of palace at right side.
002-LOIR VALLEY’S CHATEAUX-
LOIRE VALLEY-The Loire Valley is located in the centre of France along Loire River. The valley is 280kms long and area about 800km square. The area is called Garden of France. Along the river there are lots of Vineyards and Orchards of Cherries-Apricot-Asparagus. When the French kings began constructing their huge châteaux here and the Nobility also started building chateaux. Those who gained the king's favor and the wealthy bourgeoisie continued to renovate existing châteaux or build lavish new ones as their summer residence in the Loire. The French Revolution saw a number of the great French châteaux destroyed and many ransacked, their treasures stolen. Presently, these privately owned châteaux serve as homes, or to tourist visits, and are operated as hotels. Many have been taken over by a local government authority or the giant structures like Chambord, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Towns in the valley are- Amboise, Angers, Blois, Chinon, Orléans, Saumur, and Tours. There are more than 300 Chateaux in the valley. For the Day Trip of Chenoneau-Amboise-Chambord-Cheverny, one has to reach Tour by Paris TGV from Montparnasse Station which takes one hour to reach. Actually the tour starts from Tour at 9.10am and conclude at 6.45pm at Tour.
LOIRE VALLEY-The Loire Valley is located in the centre of France along Loire River. The valley is 280kms long and area about 800km square. The area is called Garden of France. Along the river there are lots of Vineyards and Orchards of Cherries-Apricot-Asparagus. When the French kings began constructing their huge châteaux here and the Nobility also started building chateaux. Those who gained the king's favor and the wealthy bourgeoisie continued to renovate existing châteaux or build lavish new ones as their summer residence in the Loire. The French Revolution saw a number of the great French châteaux destroyed and many ransacked, their treasures stolen. Presently, these privately owned châteaux serve as homes, or to tourist visits, and are operated as hotels. Many have been taken over by a local government authority or the giant structures like Chambord, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Towns in the valley are- Amboise, Angers, Blois, Chinon, Orléans, Saumur, and Tours. There are more than 300 Chateaux in the valley. For the Day Trip of Chenoneau-Amboise-Chambord-Cheverny, one has to reach Tour by Paris TGV from Montparnasse Station which takes one hour to reach. Actually the tour starts from Tour at 9.10am and conclude at 6.45pm at Tour.
i-CHÂTEAU D'AMBOISE -The magnificent Château d'Amboise overlooks the Loire valley in Amboise, at the heart of the Touraine region. The castle, representative of French Renaissance and the home of several successive Kings of France, is part of the group of castles in the Loire valley. This emblematic monument and its landscaped gardens offer one of the most remarkable panoramas of the Loire valley, and are registered as a World Heritage site by Unesco. Before it was associated with the crown in 1434, the castle belonged to the House of Amboise for over four centuries. During the Renaissance, it served as the residence of several Kings of France. The son of Louis XI, Charles VIII, who was raised in the region, appreciated the relaxed way of life in Touraine and made it his preferred home.
ii-CHEVERNY- The Château de Cheverny (shuh-vehr-nee) is a stately estate and has been in the same family for more than six centuries. Cheverny has always been lived in and every generation has made an effort to maintain and to embellish it with passion.Since 1922 Cheverny is open to the public. Thus the visitor can appreciate the splendor and the delight of life in a chateau.
iii-CHATEAUX DE CHAMBORD-Chateaux de Chamboard is the largest chateaux in the Loire Valley. It was built by Francois I, who built it as a hunting lodge. The chateaux was built from 1519 to 1547. Built in French Renaissance style. Chateaux is square in plan and has 150 meters long façade X 55metres high and has 440 rooms. The centre of the Chateaux is surrounded by four towers as in a castle. The specialty of the Chateaux is the roof. It has eleven towers and three chimneys and all are without symmetry. The spectacular double helix open staircase up to three floors are the highlights of the château, whose two bricked spiral flights rise independently around a central hollow column, and allow two persons to climb together to the terrace without meeting each other. The massive rooms, open windows and high ceilings meant heating was impractical. The château is surrounded by large forest with deer’s and enclosed by a wall. It is said that Leonardo de Vinci was guest of Francois and he influenced the planning of the Chateaux as towers are atypical of French contemporary design in that they lack turrets and spires. Francois during his lifetime stayed only for seven weeks and for hunting visits. As the château was not surrounded by a village, so all furniture, wall coverings, eating implements were brought for each hunting trip, a major logistical exercise. Therefore after the death of François in 1547, the château was not used for almost a century. Today, Chambord is a major tourist attraction and in 2007 around 700,000 people visited the château. It is about 180kms from Paris and will take two hours to reach.
iv-CHATEAUX DE CHENONCEAU-It is a 15th century chateaux ,remained under the possession of many royal women, it was loved, administrated and protected by women. It was built by Katherine des Dames in 1513 on a site of old 13th century castle and transferred to Diane de Poitiers mistress of King Henery II. After the death of King Henery II in 1559 it was exchanged to his widow Catherine de Medci. After the death of Catherine it went to King Henery III wife Louis Lorraine. It is a square Chateaux build in the river bed of River Cher over the piles and connected to the banks by a bridge and gallery. At Chenonceau Castle, the flower display in every sumptuously furnished room adds to its elegance. The room of Five Queens, the living room of Louis XIV, the grand gallery overlooking the River Cher are fabulous .Clemenceau Castle has an exceptional museum collection of the Old Masters’ and as well as an extremely rare collections of Flanders Tapestries from the 16th century. Moreover 70 hectares of richly wooded parks undoubtedly make a perfect setting for walks and relaxing moments.
a-Catherine’s Garden- The Garden of Catherine de Médicis is lined on the east with a sloping bed towards the moats, which are filled by the waters of the Cher River.
b-Diane’s Garden- The garden is lined with retaining walls and terraces. The decoration is based on eight grass triangles, which are adorned with volutes of santolinas of a total length of 3 000 meters. In the very centre of Diane's Garden, "Le Jardin de Diane", is the garden's original fountain.
ii-CHEVERNY- The Château de Cheverny (shuh-vehr-nee) is a stately estate and has been in the same family for more than six centuries. Cheverny has always been lived in and every generation has made an effort to maintain and to embellish it with passion.Since 1922 Cheverny is open to the public. Thus the visitor can appreciate the splendor and the delight of life in a chateau.
iii-CHATEAUX DE CHAMBORD-Chateaux de Chamboard is the largest chateaux in the Loire Valley. It was built by Francois I, who built it as a hunting lodge. The chateaux was built from 1519 to 1547. Built in French Renaissance style. Chateaux is square in plan and has 150 meters long façade X 55metres high and has 440 rooms. The centre of the Chateaux is surrounded by four towers as in a castle. The specialty of the Chateaux is the roof. It has eleven towers and three chimneys and all are without symmetry. The spectacular double helix open staircase up to three floors are the highlights of the château, whose two bricked spiral flights rise independently around a central hollow column, and allow two persons to climb together to the terrace without meeting each other. The massive rooms, open windows and high ceilings meant heating was impractical. The château is surrounded by large forest with deer’s and enclosed by a wall. It is said that Leonardo de Vinci was guest of Francois and he influenced the planning of the Chateaux as towers are atypical of French contemporary design in that they lack turrets and spires. Francois during his lifetime stayed only for seven weeks and for hunting visits. As the château was not surrounded by a village, so all furniture, wall coverings, eating implements were brought for each hunting trip, a major logistical exercise. Therefore after the death of François in 1547, the château was not used for almost a century. Today, Chambord is a major tourist attraction and in 2007 around 700,000 people visited the château. It is about 180kms from Paris and will take two hours to reach.
iv-CHATEAUX DE CHENONCEAU-It is a 15th century chateaux ,remained under the possession of many royal women, it was loved, administrated and protected by women. It was built by Katherine des Dames in 1513 on a site of old 13th century castle and transferred to Diane de Poitiers mistress of King Henery II. After the death of King Henery II in 1559 it was exchanged to his widow Catherine de Medci. After the death of Catherine it went to King Henery III wife Louis Lorraine. It is a square Chateaux build in the river bed of River Cher over the piles and connected to the banks by a bridge and gallery. At Chenonceau Castle, the flower display in every sumptuously furnished room adds to its elegance. The room of Five Queens, the living room of Louis XIV, the grand gallery overlooking the River Cher are fabulous .Clemenceau Castle has an exceptional museum collection of the Old Masters’ and as well as an extremely rare collections of Flanders Tapestries from the 16th century. Moreover 70 hectares of richly wooded parks undoubtedly make a perfect setting for walks and relaxing moments.
a-Catherine’s Garden- The Garden of Catherine de Médicis is lined on the east with a sloping bed towards the moats, which are filled by the waters of the Cher River.
b-Diane’s Garden- The garden is lined with retaining walls and terraces. The decoration is based on eight grass triangles, which are adorned with volutes of santolinas of a total length of 3 000 meters. In the very centre of Diane's Garden, "Le Jardin de Diane", is the garden's original fountain.
003-DISNEYLAND PARIS- Disneyland Paris, its old name was Euro Disney Resort. It is an entertainment resort located 32 km east of the centre of Paris at in Marne-la-Vallée village a newly developed one. The resort covers 4,800 acres and has two theme parks, 7-resort hotels, a shopping, dining, entertainment complex and a 9 &18 holes golf course and a railway station. The Disneyland Park was opened on April 12, 1992. The second one, Walt Disney Studios Park was opened in 2002.This Disney Park was the second after Tokyo Disney Resort outside USA. Disneyland Park is similar to Disneyland Park in, California and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in, Florida. A railway station, Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy, is located between the theme parks and Disney Village ,with a connection to the suburban RER network, line A. Free shuttle buses provide transport to all Disney hotels and Associated Hotels. The yellow shuttle buses go to the main Disney hotels while the pink shuttle buses go to the other hotels further away but still in the Disneyland area. Disneyland Paris Express offers daily shuttles services on prices for the whole family and departs from 4 convenient locations in the heart of the city. Gare du Nord, Opéra, Madeleine and Châtelet. Round-trip + 1 day / 2 parks tickets. Adult = 89 €. Eurostar trains link London directly with the Marne-la-Vallée TGV station, located right at the Disneyland theme park. Disneyland Park is divided into five themed "lands", with 49 attractions. The Disneyland Railroad runs along the perimeter of the park and stops in Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland. Here also the park main attraction is fairy tale castle of Sleeping Beauty.
I- MAIN STREET, U.S.A - It is the main entrance into the park and with a train station. The street terminates at Sleeping Beauty Castle.
II- FRONTIERLAND- Top attraction of this section is Big Thunder Mountain. The ride landscape is a reddish orange rock that juts up from the landscape. The ride runs by a pond. It contains a lot of twists and turns.
III- ADVENTURELAND- Top attraction of this section is Pirates of the Caribbean. In this ride the visitor is taken through a series of secret caverns as they observe the “pirate life.
IV- FANTASYLAND- Top attraction of this section is Buzz Light year Laser Blast and It’s a Small World. This ride takes the visitor on a musical tour of the world while multicultural dolls sing the song "It’s a Small World". The park visitors travel through the attraction in a small boat which follows a river that runs through the attraction.
V- DISCOVERYLAND- Top attraction of this section is Space Mountain: Mission 2. It is a roller coaster like ride that “ride will blast with speed and feel the g-force as you dodge screaming meteorites and black holes - and then go back and do it all again.”Orbitron and Autopia are other rides.
I- MAIN STREET, U.S.A - It is the main entrance into the park and with a train station. The street terminates at Sleeping Beauty Castle.
II- FRONTIERLAND- Top attraction of this section is Big Thunder Mountain. The ride landscape is a reddish orange rock that juts up from the landscape. The ride runs by a pond. It contains a lot of twists and turns.
III- ADVENTURELAND- Top attraction of this section is Pirates of the Caribbean. In this ride the visitor is taken through a series of secret caverns as they observe the “pirate life.
IV- FANTASYLAND- Top attraction of this section is Buzz Light year Laser Blast and It’s a Small World. This ride takes the visitor on a musical tour of the world while multicultural dolls sing the song "It’s a Small World". The park visitors travel through the attraction in a small boat which follows a river that runs through the attraction.
V- DISCOVERYLAND- Top attraction of this section is Space Mountain: Mission 2. It is a roller coaster like ride that “ride will blast with speed and feel the g-force as you dodge screaming meteorites and black holes - and then go back and do it all again.”Orbitron and Autopia are other rides.
004-GIVERNY- This village lies fifty miles from Paris within the valley of the river Seine and the northern region of Upper Normandy. Giverny is a village and also a commune situated in Northern France. It is popular as the destination of Claude Monet’s garden and residence. In 1883, middle-aged Claude Monet, his wife Alice, and their eight children from two families settled into a farmhouse here, west of Paris. Monet, at that point a famous artist and happiest at home, would spend 40 years in Giverny, traveling less with each passing year. He built a pastoral paradise complete with a Japanese garden and a pond full of floating lilies. Monet spent his last (and most creative) years cultivating his garden and his art at Giverny. Claude Monet was the leading light of the Impressionist movement. He revolutionized painting in the 1870s. Fiercely independent and dedicated to his craft, Monet gave courage to fellow artists in the face of harsh criticism. Some of the best attractions worth visiting are the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny. Many can visit the Claude Monet’s House and Gardens which is a famous tourist attraction in summer, when the flowers bloom. Claude Monet's gardens at Giverny are like his paintings. Monet’s work can be visited at the Orangerie Museum, the Orsay Museum and the Marmottan Museum in Paris. Giverny doesn't have a train station. Four kilometres away is the larger town of Vernon. Vernon has a train station, office of tourism, hotels and bike rentals.